Tbilisi accuses Moscow of violating Georgian airspace

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has expressed protest over the violation of Georgian airspace by a Russian military helicopter near the border with South Ossetia.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has expressed protest over the violation of Georgian airspace by a Russian military helicopter near the border with South Ossetia.

"Simultaneously with conducting military exercises, the Russian Federation is continuing to violate airspace controlled by Georgia. In particular, a Mi-8 military helicopter belonging to the Russian occupation forces flew from the occupied village of Khelchua in the direction of the village of Zardiaantkari in the Gori district at 10:57 a.m. on August 19, 2015, therefore violating airspace controlled by the Georgian central government. Following the incident, the helicopter continued its flight toward Akhalgori," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 20.

Tbilisi views the incident as "provocative in nature and posing a threat to security and stability in the region," the Foreign Ministry said.

"The Foreign Ministry demands that the Russian Federation respects the fundamental principles of international law, observes the obligations it has undertaken, including the terms of the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, and de-occupy Georgian territories," it said.